Sandra & Jesse's Smash Hit

Bullock and hubby Jesse James hit by drunk driver; no injuries were reported

By Gina Serpe Apr 19, 2008 6:52 PMTags
Sandra Bullock, Jesse JamesEric Charbonneau/WireImage.com

Turns out, speed is the least of Sandra Bullock's roadside worries.

The actress and her Monster Garage host hubby Jesse James were struck by a drunk driver while out in Gloucester, Massachusetts Friday evening, where Bullock is currently filming The Proposal.

Neither Bullock nor James were driving the vehicle when it was struck by 64-year-old Lucille Gatchell at approximately 9:50 p.m. While the rented black 2008 Chevy SUV the couple was riding in did sustain damage in the head-on smash, neither star was injured in the collision.

The incident occurred when Gatchell's Subaru Forester station wagon jumped lanes and veered into oncoming traffic. The couple's vehicle, being driven by 55-year-old Mark Hussey, was luckily going between just 15-20 mph at the time, preventing more serious damage or injury from taking place.

According to the Boston Herald, which first reported the accident, Hussey attempted to avoid Gatchell's car but was unable to get away in time after she crossed over into his lane.

Gloucester police were quick to arrive at the scene and found Bullock, in town to film the romantic comedy alongside Ryan Reynolds, and James, who turns 39 today, comforting each other.

"They were sort of hugging each other on the sidewalk," Officer Kevin Mackey told the paper. "Ms. Bullock was consoling him."

Mackey also said that the 43-year-old star was very concerned about the other driver, asking officers repeatedly whether she was alright. The couple was ultimately driven away from the scene about 20 minutes later by Bullock's security.

As it is, Gatchell was issued a field sobriety test and blew a blood-alcohol level of 0.20 percent on the breathalyzer, more than two and a half times the legal limit. She was arrested, taken to the police station and booked on driving under the influence and failure to stay in marked lanes.

According to police, Gatchell was initially unaware of who she had struck.

"After I arrested her I had her in the cruiser," Mackey told the Herald. "I said, 'Do you realize who you hit?' She asked, 'Who?' I said, 'Sandra Bullock.'

"She was almost giggling and laughing. She said, 'My first drunk driving and I hit Sandra Bullock.'"

She was later released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges in Gloucester District Court Tuesday morning.